Where did my baby go???

Isabelle turned 3 in May, and on her birthday we celebrated big but we also said goodbye to all her therapists and coordinator.
The Early Steps program ends at 3 years old and the next day, she could have gone straight into the school system.  We decided to hold off until August since school only had a few more weeks.

and now... here is August.  August- you sure showed up fast!
Yesterday, we went to her PreK-D orientation.  She is ready... I am not.  Why you ask?!?  I know that she will do great, I know that she will own the room, I know that she will easily make friends.  What I won't know... is how her day was, did she fall down on the play ground, did she like the lunch we made for her, was someone mean to her?

You see, everyday that I pick up Izzy from daycare- I ask her how her day was and what she did.  Her reply is always- Yeah.  She isn't able to give me details or an explanation.  She's three and we haven't been able to have a true conversation yet.

Don't get me wrong, she makes herself known with what she wants.  Sister is smart but just can't verbalize completely with words yet.  I know she will get there with time and more therapy.  So right now, we communicate the way that works best for us- some signing, some talking, some pointing or pulling us by the hand.

The Elementary school is so big and she is so little.  I just want to protect her from the world but at the same time I want to see her soar high.  Soar as high as she could ever dream possible.

I know those two statements don't go together- me protecting her from the world but also letting her soar. This is where I have to learn to let go just a little bit.  Let her be the independent little girl she really wants to be.
I don't want to but I will... slowly.

Here's to taking baby steps towards this new adventure.  Watch out Bluewater... Miss Priss is heading your way!

Preparing...

Today, Izzy and I met with 2 of her soon-to-be therapists within the school system.  Her birthday is just around the corner- May- and she will be "aging" out of the Early Steps program.  How can my little baby be turning 3?!?

We have decided to wait on enrolling her for PreK-D until August since her birthday is so close to the end of the school year. 
We went to the Elementary school and met with two very nice ladies that watched her interact and do tasks in order to get a good feel of her needs and evaluate her for our upcoming IEP meeting. (it wasn't nearly as scary as I had anticipated.) 
She did great with threading beads, drawing circles/lines, kicking/throwing the ball, tearing up paper- girl can destroy some paper.  We also saw were she still need extra help in certain areas.       

Sister loves people and doesn't tend to be shy- so that has never been a worry of mine.  If she happens to get shy, it will only be for a few minutes and then she owns the room.  She took immediately to the ladies.  Holding their hands while walking down the hallway and then went right to work following their directions.  He favorite word when they asked her if she could do something- Yep!

I have never been worried about her doing well within the program.  She has been going to daycare since she was 6 weeks old so she is used to structure and playing with her peers.  So, I can't figure out why I am so sad today.   She did awesome and I couldn't be more proud... but my heart hurts.   

My heart hurts and it is heavy.  I didn't want to leave her today.  I felt like I needed to hold on to her a little longer than usual. 
I know she has been so protected by our family, friends and then daycare.  Being in the school system can be exciting yet scary.  Will she be accepted??  Will she get the attention she needs???  Will kids make fun of her??  Will she________??  It can just go on and on.

I guess this can really be a fear for all of my kids but so much more for Izzy.  I don't want her to struggle and I want to protect her.  But I know she will have struggles and I can't protect her from everything.  I know she is so much stronger than I ever imagined.  She has overcome so much already in her short little life.  But... knowing that I can't be there to protect her from the world is scary. 
I wish the world would learn that everyone is different and that is ok.  People have come so far and are so much more accepting of differences now than before but we still have so far to go. 

This little girl doesn't see differences... she just sees you!  I strive everyday to be more like her.

Baby Steps...

Folks... we have an almost walker!!  We have been doing a lot of celebrating and crying- well... Mommy has been crying. 
Izzy is doing so well and she is finally getting the hang of this little thing called walking.  Most of us think walking is kind of important but not Izzy.  She was happy scooting around everywhere she went.  She has messed up more outfits and shoes than I care to count. 
It has taken many hours of therapy, working with her at home and daycare for Izzy to build the strength in her legs and muscles.  She is a rock star!!
First, Izzy got hip helpers as a wee little one to help strengthen her hips but Sister can still perform a split at any given moment.
As you can tell... Izzy was not impressed with her pink hip helpers.  She pouted and refused to move...

Then, Izzy got a Ybike.  She started attempting to stand and put pressure on her legs but still wasn't a fan.

While on vacation this past summer, she finally decided to walk a little with assistance.  We were so proud!

Getting a little help from Yaya aka Nana (Izzy decided to be a rebel and change her name.)

It has taken her a long time (2+ years) to get to this point but we are finally seeing some independant walking.  She will walk to almost anyone and require a hug and maybe a little hand clapping.  She often gets tickled while walking and falls over but whatever, Sister is starting to walk!! 

 

Shout out

Guess who has taken some steps all by herself recently.

This girl...

I love getting texts at work from Izzy's PT to find out that she had an awesome therapy session.  (Major Mommy guilt for not being at the session but I have to bring home the bacon) Izzy consistently took 3-4 steps towards her favorite toy only to take more steps.  She ended up walking back and forth across the living room three times!!  This is huge and we celebrated big time last night. 
It won't be long before Izzy is running around and keeping us all on our toes.
Sister is a rock star!!

Therapy and more...

Izzy is doing great with her therapies.  I can't believe she will be "aging out" of Early Steps soon.  She has benefited so much from this program.  We are forever grateful these services are offered to her. 
The boys enjoy watching her during her therapies when they can.  They like to see her progress and I think they even  get a little jealous of some of the activities she gets to do.  (These pictures are from OT)

 The swing...  This is her favorite and I think her brothers enjoy the swing as well.

After this particular day of therapy, a sign appeared on the door that said "Patients Only".  I have a feeling that this new sign is a result of Izzy's brothers having a little too much fun during her sessions.  Now Mommy has to sit in the waiting room. :(
Izzy has a new Speech therapist and we are excited to get to meet her soon.  She has been meeting with Izzy at her daycare for the last few weeks and I am sure Izzy is getting to know her and working very hard.
A few weeks ago, Izzy took 3 steps during PT.  I was so sad to miss it but I know I will some steps soon.  She is so stubborn.  She knows all the techniques and will even walk if she knows that someone's hand is behind her.  You don't even have to touch but the moment she thinks she is on her own... Sister sits down. 
Patience is not a virtue of mine and I think Izzy is aware of that.  She will be walking when she is good and ready. 

Folks... we have a stander

Walking with Nana

For the longest time, Izzy would not bare weight on her legs.  Anytime I would hold her up in a standing postion she would pull her legs up like a little frog.  Of course, I was worried.  I knew she would eventually do it but when??  In her own timing...
A few months ago, Izzy started pulling up and then cruising.  Then, just 2 weeks ago, we were so impressed with Izzy trying to stand on her own.  She would get about half way and then plop back down. Her first attempt was while we were waiting for her OT appointment.  I am sure we looked crazy because we were shouting and recording her in the waiting area.  She was so close so we knew it wouldn't be long.

This weekend, she started standing by herself in the middle of the room.  She no longer had to have something to pull up on.  We were in Chipley on Saturday evening and she began standing like a pro.  Even overnight we could see great progress in standing for longer periods of time and even trying to dance and clap while standing.  I am sure it didn't hurt that she had a captive audience with plenty of praise.

I was so worried when we got her last progress report and it said that her next goal to meet was to be standing in the middle of the room on her own by December 2013.  My heart sank... December!!  Sister had other plans.  Being a little selfish for a moment, I think Izzy knew that I needed this right now.  I know these goals are necessary for Early Steps but Izzy will do things when she is ready and I am beginnning to grasp that.  Whether she doesn't quite meet a goal- because she just isn't ready- or if she blows a goal out of the water... she will still do it in her own timing.
I am so proud of her and I can't wait to see what she will conquer next!

 

DAFO's

Do you know what that stands for??  Well... I don't either but I am learning.  I may not know what DAFO stands for but my little girl is now wearing them.  Most people know these little braces by Sure Steps.  She was fitted about 3 weeks ago and we went to pick them up yesterday.  I called daycare to check on her, and the news was good.  She isn't bothered by them. 
These braces will help strengthen her ankles and legs in preparation for walking.  She is so close to standing on her own.  It could be any day now!
While the Tech was put the finishing touches on her braces, Izzy asked for a few moments to herself to say goodbye to her pretty summer shoes.  Mommy is going on a search to find some pretty shoes tonight.  I just can't handle the big bulky shoes that came with the braces.  While I am thankful we got them, they are not pretty!

When did my little baby start looking like a little girl?!?

But Mommy... I want to wear my sandals!

Izzy's braces are now part of her wardrobe.  When she is dressed and awake, they have to be on.  So far, she isn't complaining but it has only been 24 hours. 
I will keep you posted on her progress.

Occupational therapy

Izzy's OT session was not too successful last week.  She was doing great until... an intern walked in to observe.  You would have thought she was asked to perform a musical all by herself in front of thousands.  Sister shut down!
I have never seen her act this way.  She is always so social and never meets a stranger so I am not sure what was different this day.  We started off as usual...
Izzy got to try a new tool to work on her upper body strength. 

She was a human bowling ball.  She enjoyed knocking the pins down with her head.

Then she got in her chair to do puzzles and pegs.

 We are good for now...

When it was time to get out of the chair, Sister wasn't budging.  She kept trying to snap the belt back around her.
Ms. B had to actually take Izzy out of the chair and they did the wheel barrel over to the swing.  The swing is Izzy's favorite activity during OT.  Not today...
Weee- this is fun!

Should I cry or not???

 More, Ms B. 

Still having fun for now...

And here we go...

 I am not having fun anymore

 Why is that pretty intern staring at me??

 Did I spill my lunch on my dress?

 I've got my eye on you...

And right after this picture... she flipped her head back and let out the biggest cry ever!  OT was officially over for the day.  Maybe we will be in a better mood next time.

Therapy update...

Izzy makes me one proud Mommy!  Sister has 4 hours of therapy each week and does little to no complaining.  She is learning and growing so much each week.  It is so exciting to see her progress!

Izzy's therapy breakdown:
Physical therapy 1x a week
Speech therapy 2x a week
Occupational 1x a week

During PT each week, Mrs. T works on pulling up to stand, walking and core strength.  Izzy gets to wear some bling during her sessions to add some extra weight.  She does love her sparkles.  Watch your wallet Daddy! 
Izzy loves Mrs. T and no longer signs all done when Mrs. T arrives to the house.  This is a good sign.

We are so happy Early Steps just approved Izzy to get ST twice a week.  She is a talker and learning so much so I can't imagine her progress now with therapy twice a week.  Izzy has about 10 signs (eat- her favorite and done with a lot of force, more, milk, ball, sing, please, all done), she can say quite a few words and is great at imitating sounds/words.  Sister loves to sing and shout.  I wonder where she learned that?!? 
She is getting more muscle tone in her lips and can now give you a puckered kiss.  This is huge for her and we are happy now that it feels like we aren't getting a bath every time she kisses us!
Izzy started back with a new OT a few weeks ago and we love her!!  She pushes her so hard during her sessions that Izzy is wiped out and sleeps all the way home.  She is learning to take her socks and shoes off and then put them back on.  She is working with puzzles, playing with play doh and pulling magnets apart.  I love watching her sessions because I never realized what she can learn from everyday objects.  I just didn't think about these things with the boys.
This swing looks like fun and Izzy loves it but she is actually using major core strength and using listening skills.  This teaches her balance and that she better hold on tight or she will go flying.

 She is learning to use a spoon.  This is a slow process but I think this might help with her throwing her food everywhere... now if she just won't throw the spoon.

Here she is working on balance and core strength.  She has to lean over the peanut and grab a peg then she has to pull the pegs apart (fine motor skills).

I am so glad she has a great relationship with all of her therapists.  I can't believe that she has already been in the program for almost 2 years.  We are grateful for these ladies and all they do for Izzy and also the time they take to teach Ryan and I our homework. 
She is such a good sport and our strong baby girl!  She makes us proud!!   

Party time-

You know when the house is a little too quiet and you should really start searching for your children.  Well, I was just enjoying the quiet a few minutes longer until... I heard two boys screaming my name.  

I run into the Izzy's room to find this... (and a big mess!)

Sister had pulled herself up to standing!!  We all three did the happy dance and almost scared her silly.  She hung on to her crib for dear life but she did it... and then she did it again and again!  Each time expecting the same reaction as the first so we gave it to her- the happy dance and lots of cheering. 
We have been waiting for this milestone a long time so I am still grinning ear to ear.  Izzy has worked hard for this moment and she deserves a party- and she got one last night! 

So proud of my big girl!!